Dear Sir,

Your correspondent, Diallo Rabain, writes about assisting people who do not have employment and, I believe, part of his by-election campaign, revolves around more help for seniors’ pensions. All very worthwhile objects, which I heartily support.

He appears to have missed the point that if it had not been for his party’s dismal handling of the country’s finances during their 14 years of mismanagement, there would be more than adequate resources for seniors and social assistance, when you consider that there was a small plus reserve when the Progressive Labour Party took the reins of government in 1998 and 14 years later, the country was more than one billion dollars in debt.

I am not an accountant and do not have the actual figures, but I believe the interest repayments per annum are in the region of some $18 million, which equates to $1,800 per person, assuming there are 10,000 seniors and people needing assistance.

Could Mr Rabain explain where he will obtain the money for his grandiose plans? There are a limited number of people paying taxes, and I hate to think what mess the country will be in if he follows through with his ideas.

It looks as though we will end up like Puerto Rico, and Bermuda will have to obtain help from some other country, which means the Bermuda dollar will be worthless.

The voters of Constituency 13 need to give careful consideration to the financial position that Bermuda has found itself in.

ANTONY SIESE